Beautifully written and delicately rendered, Cordova's novel is one I couldn't stop thinking about. Despite uneven pacing, I was fully enraptured by Orquidea's story and loved the flashbacks. Cordova expertly wove together the past and the present storylines, resulting in an ending that sung. Honestly, I would read a book just about Orquidea's life!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova in exchange for an honest review.

This one came out September 7, 2021 and I actually did read it before publication, even though I had my daughter at the end of July. But, I never posted a review and I'm definitely a little mad at myself for that! Oh well.

I was really excited to read this one because I read the author's Brooklyn Brujas series and was absolutely obsessed. I still think about it from time to time. This story centers on the Montoyas, and alternates between the matriarch, Orquídea Divina's past, and her descendants' present story. Orquídea is a woman of mystery and when her family fails to get the answers they seek at her funeral (one she throws herself) they head the Ecuador, her home country.

The mystery surrounding Orquídea's magic is definitely what kept me turning the pages so fast and picking up the book even when I was a little too tired to read. I enjoyed the characters but I think there were probably too many for me to feel fully connected in the way that I wanted to.

While I enjoyed the magical realism of the plot line I was unable to connect with the characters. I was able to get through the novel and can agree the writing style was poetic butI did not feel invested in the story.

I unfortunately was not a fan of this one. It felt rambling and the story was too loose, the timelines didn't come together as I had hoped. There wasn't much of a conflict and barely any resolution. I couldn't feel anything for any of the characters.

Magic, relatable family dynamics and secrets. This beautiful story spoke to my Latin heart and I absolutely loved it!

Curses, magic, miracles - maybe they exist, maybe they don’t, but I think we are capable of creating these things out of our own humanity. In The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, the curse is real, the magic is real, the miracles happen. But also, the curse of generational trauma and toxic masculinity is real, the miracle of chosen family is real, the magic of stepping into who you were always created to be is real. The magic on every page of this book captured my attention, but the humanity and love on every page captured my heart.

“How do you fight a thing that believes it owns you? How do you fight the past? With gold leaves and salt? With silence? With new earth beneath your feet? With the bodies, the hearts of others? With hearts that are tender and bloodied but have thorns of their own. With the family that chooses you.”

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is a triumph of magical realism. Lovers of Márquez, Esquivel, Zafón, Allende, Morgenstern, Klune - do not miss this book!

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina is a magical story that takes place in two time lines. In one, a young Orquidea is growing up with a single mother, and trying to find her way in a small town in Ecuador. In the present timeline, Orquidea settled in Four Rivers, and has a house filled with magic and mystery which ultimately leads to the grandchildren leaving, until they are summoned back together to "receive their inheritance." The family quickly realizes there is more mystery and magic to the grandmother than they ever imagined, and that her leaving them would leave questions that would need to be answered.

This story started off a little scattered for me. All of a sudden I felt like I was introduced to so many characters and I couldn't keep them all straight. However, I soon realized who was central to the story and feel into a cadence with the story and grew attached to both story lines and discovering how they would eventually weave together. Overall, despite being a bit confusing for me at times, it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend for readers who like magical elements, and stories with Central American ties.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zoraida, Cordova, and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. Loved, loved, loved.

There is so much magic in this story. One of the things I've loved to do over the years is read stories with fantasy/magic elements that aren't based in a traditional euro-western based. This hit the mark for me. I loved the connection between all living things (non-human animal, plants, earth, stars) and the Montoya family. I loved how "different" was something special. Most of all, I loved how this book contained so many fantastical elements and, as a result, worked together so, so well.

I feel like I'm gushing, but I haven't read a book like this in a while. I can't say too much about the plot, because it's just complex enough that to talk about any specific bit gives away something special in how the story unfolds.

I read this for the PopSugar 2022 prompt of a "party" and I was worried that it wouldn't fit going in (I chose "funeral" to be party in this case). It fits, however, and oh how it does. Highly recommend this book for anyone looking to branch out and lose themselves into something different.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this eARC for an honest review.

This story was so magical and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It has a lot more layers than what is initially apparent. Orquidea’s story is hypnotizing and makes the reader want more. I enjoyed going on her journey with her and experiencing the magic, tragedy, and the ups and downs. This story has a little bit of historical fiction, romance, fantasy, drama, and family elements. This story was beautifully written and captivating. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys any of these genres.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited when I got approved for the arc of The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina because the author, Zoraida Cordova, is one of my favorite authors of all time. I have read all of her YA books and I had very high expectations for this book! I was luckily not disappointed! Cordova created the perfect blend between magical realism and fantasy while also focusing on family relationships/struggles. The writing was beautiful and even the characters that are antagonists brought so much to the story that I could not put it down. Read this story!

I felt like this book was too long for the amount of story there was. Maybe I just didn't connect with the characters or story because I could have done with less fluff. I also might not have been paying attention towards the end but I didn't understand how the star and ex played into the curse. Guess I was losing interest. Not for me.

This was a beautiful fantasy story about latinx witches. I loved the focus on ancestry and cultural heritage!

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I was very excited to read something set in Ecuador but the first 25% failed to draw me into the story.

This was a lot… there were a lot of people and moving parts but it was a good very interesting story about family and magic. This book definitely takes you on a journey. A great story I liked it a lot and I did like the main characters. Also I loved the cover it’s beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with in the future.

GENRE-BENDING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MYSTERIOUS, ATMOSPHERIC, TOTALLY MAGICAL AND SURPRINSINGLY SOPHISTICATED!

I've always been a BIG fan of Zoraida's writing, but now I'm extremely impressed!

Zoraida's writing is just getting better and better! For a young and fairly new author, her Magical realism has a maturity similar to Isabel Allende's and, dare I say it??... Gabriel Garcia Marques!

You most likely enjoy this book if you enjoy reading about Hispanic culture and if you enjoy reading Magical Realism mysteries and historical like: The Raven Boys, The Shadow of the Wind, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Bone Gap One Hundred Years of Solitude, The House of the Spirits, and Like Water for Chocolate.

But, Magical Realism is that it is not for everyone. So, I suspect while most people will loooove this book, some may find it confusing.

I personally gave 10 stars to the first 80% of it and then 4 stars to the end of the book.

The first 80% of the book was just splendid! Exceptional in every way and form. It was, elegant and unostentatious, rich and humble, sophisticated and primitive. Dark, edgy, uplifting, magical.

My favorite aspects of the book are:
1- The writing. hands down. It was superb! It reads very much like literary fiction. Every word counts, every paragraph a story in itself and an imagery out of this world!
2- The representation. Since it is an own-voice book, the representation of the Latin American culture is spot on!
3- The mood! It was so atmospheric!
4- The topics. I can't think of any relevant human topic this book didn't touch on! childhood, girlhood, womanhood, motherhood, love, parenting, family, ancestry, social issues, like bigotry, classism, racism... you name it, it was here!

This is one of those books that will make you a different person after reading it!

This is one of those books that will make you a different person after reading it! It made me wonder, marvel, pause, appreciate, ponder and day dream!

One thing to keep in mind is that it is character driven story with a plot takes its time and reads like a mystery.

The atmospheric mood and mystery reminded me a lot of Bone Gap and The Shadow of the Wind which are two of the most unique books I have ever read!

I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for the fact that I consider a story this complex, layered and sophisticated needed at least 100 more pages. Some parts felt a little rushed, especially the last 20% of the book.

I hope this is the start of a series! If that's the case I'll come back and change it to a 5-star review!

Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen, a family searches for the truth hidden in their past in this “expertly woven tale of family power, threaded with as much mystery as magic” (V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers—not for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed into a ceiba tree, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings and powers. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea’s line. Determined to save what’s left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, her descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked back.

Alternating between Orquídea’s past and her descendants’ present, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is a “spellbinding tale, both timeless and fresh, that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Prepare to fall in love” (Kim Liggett, New York Times bestselling author).

Another unique scifi book that I like just fine!
What a book to read!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

From the publisher:
The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers—not for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed into a ceiba tree, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings and powers. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea’s line. Determined to save what’s left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, her descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked back.

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Cordóva was published September 7th, 2021 by Atria Books.

My thoughts:

This book is a wonderful piece of magical realism. Magic happens in the characters lives and they accept it as normal. It starts with how they receive their invitations to receive their inheritances and grows from there. It's very well done.

The point of view switches among characters. In the case of Orquídea, it also alternates between her past and present. I had no problem following whose eyes we were looking through at any particular time.

The characters themselves are intriguing. And it was interesting to watch how they dealt with their inheritances and the danger when it presented itself. For some there is an outward sign of the inheritance. And I think all of them undergo some kind of transformation even if it only affects their world view.

The story is beautifully told. Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy magical realism, you will probably enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An incredible generational magical realism novel spanning from Ecuador to the United States. The descendants of Orquídea Divina search for answers about the magical gifts they've inherited from their grandmother as a shadowy presence stalks them to the ends of the Earth, determined to take out all of Orquidea's descendants. At the same time, we learn about Orquidea's childhood in Ecuador and the origins of her powers in a traveling circus. Beautiful and enchanting.

Really enjoyed this unique and magical tale - super unique premise and kept me enthralled throughout. Thank you for the opportunity to be an early reader.

The closest comparison I can make to the immersion from The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is how it felt to read The Starless Sea. However, Orquídea Divina's stories of the past are clearly related to the rest of the novel, where in The Starless Sea it's not always apparent how or if the stories are connected. They're both kick@ss though. I can sincerely state that I adored all three of our main characters. Their family dynamic shines through on every page and this is one of the greatest strengths. I personally have a very small and distant extended family, so I relish the opportunity to experience closeness in stories. Frightening things happen here! The stakes are extremely high, actually! For the most part, the reader does get closure and that's always appreciated. Would love to read more about Marimar, Rey, & Rhiannon someday.

Thank you to NetGalley for a preview copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.